Argh, somehow a login was forced as I clicked preview. I'm tired, but I'll recap:
The Ark mechanicus, stripped of its two included gifts (totaling 45pts), sits at 345 in your current edition, and that's including the +1d6 repair. An Emperor is 365, and a Retribution is 355. They add +25 to become mechanicus, and must add 5-30 points for a mandatory upgrade. Admiteddly the ark must take a Veneratus, but so can the Empy and Ret. Is this something you figured out with smotherman; is the Ark that cheap for its stats? Is it by design that the other two battleships will always prove more expensive? I figured the Ark would like to remain the rare kingpin.
Anyways, though after researching into many old threads I may not understand all of the BFG:R reasoning (ex:tyrant pricing), I respect the work you have put in. Afterimagedan especially has been very consistent in pushing for the goal. If I appear to not have a clue about any of this, please assume I don't and fill me in!
Cheers,
Duke